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The New Economy

01-08-09
Kevin Swann - Owner/Broker
Kevin Swann - Owner/Broker: Commercial Real Estate Agent in Fargo, ND
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  • Office: (701) 232-9444
  • Mobile: (701) 361-1634

Times are definately changing. The economy is definetly the hot topic as usual. The biggest problem is what to believe. Go to the Wall Street Journal and click on

The New Old Big Thing in Economics: J.M. Keynes

it puts the most realistic view of our future economy that I have seen so far.

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YESSS... it's a Record!

12-30-08
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Bob "RealMan" Timm: Real Estate Agent in Minot, ND
  • view my blog
  • Office: (866) 234-0105
  • Mobile: (701) 720-8513
  • Secondary: (701) 838-3658

IceBox

Incoming Air Force personel, oil workers traveling to North Dakota, please NOTE: This is officially the snowiest winter EVER in much of ND including Minot ND. Again, keep in mind EVER!!! So when your friends and relatives tell you how bad it is just keep in mind this is beyond unusual. I don't know about the official temperature stats for this month but it's got to be close on the lows as well. It's going to get better, this just happens to be a new benchmark on the low end so chin-up and look forward to meeting the warmest people in the USA right here in Minot ND.

So how do you shovel so much snow? Hardware stores are reporting record sales on snow-blowers and shovels. Excavating companies had a banner building season and now this has just been an added bonus.

shovel

While a boon to the construction companies this is absolutely killing many business owners. Over the last month this has been the scene out my office window about twice a week. Shovels this size don't come cheep. Here are two pictures from my back yard. Please note I brushed the snow off the grill last week.

grill

swing

Pictures are property of Bob Timm, Minot ND.

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Blog_tag

When sellers have to deal with us Realtors:)

12-30-08
Shay Romich
Shay Romich: Real Estate Agent in Minot, ND
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  • Office: (701) 839-0021
  • Mobile: (701) 833-7815

When trying to sell a home, silence isn't always golden especially when you're expecting your real estate agent to call. In fact, it's one of the leading complaints among sellers in the real estate market. Often times you find an agent who is more than willing to take on your listing, but once the relationship is made, the seller enjoys getting a call at least once a week.

TIP 1- COMMUNICATION...A seller should establish with the agent up front the expectation that regular communication will occur. Even if it's just to check-in, the seller will be more satisfied being kept 'in the loop'.

TIP 2- HONESTY!!! (a beautiful policy)...Keeping the communication lines open between the two parties assures the seller that the agent is keeping them apprised of any and all offers. In addition, agents often provide valuable tips on why prospective buyers weren't interested. Often times, an agent is privy to the buyer's dislikes of the property. For instance 'this room's too dark' or 'the kitchen has a funny smell.' This allows the agent to give the seller constructive feedback and offer important tips on how to make the home more attractive to future buyers.

TIP 3- TAKE CHARGE!!!...If you're a seller and are not hearing from your broker, be sure to keep calling them until they get the message that you expect a regular update. If the broker doesn't return your calls, leave a message for your broker's office manager. The manager will see to it that your broker becomes more attentive to your listing.

Selling a home can be a lot of work and sometimes quite stressful. It is incumbent upon an agent to satisfy the seller's expectations of routine updates, this will ensure the possibility of future business not to mention a successful sale. Furthermore, as a seller you must DEMAND the communication exchange between you and your agent. If both parties work in a cooperative effort, the selling experience will be more successful and enjoyable for both the agent and the seller involved.
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greatschools.net, give them an F

12-25-08
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Bob "RealMan" Timm: Real Estate Agent in Minot, ND
  • view my blog
  • Office: (866) 234-0105
  • Mobile: (701) 720-8513
  • Secondary: (701) 838-3658

reportcard

Some time ago I read about a website called greatschools.net which reports/grades schools. I thought what a good idea. How that I've checked the site out I'm thinking otherwise.

I am the father of a 7 year old boy and an 8 year old daughter. They attend our neighborhood elementary school, Sunnyside. 1st a little more background is in order. As a devoted Christian I was very concerned about sending my children off to public school. Due to where their birthdays fall our kids are two grades apart. We sent our oldest to a Christian school for kindergarten and 1st grade. The expense made us make some adjustments to our lives but we felt it was worth the sacrifice. When it came to our attention that our youngest child would need some special services that only the public school system offers we felt it would be best if both kids went to the same school so the older one could look out for the younger one. Although we were not thrilled with the idea this is what we did. Our oldest missed Chapel and her friends at the Christian school but we have been absolutely thrilled with the results for both children.

When I went to the greatschools.net website and looked up our school it had a horrible rating (and still does today). I was alarmed when I saw it and I called the principal. She told me that a very high percentage of how greatschools.net rates a school is on it's teachers pay! Furthermore she has encouraged myself and others to provide greatschools.net with information to correct their rating. I know I did take over an hour to fill out their forum and I have no doubt that others have also yet there system shows no parent input (such as mine) and their rating remains a dismal 3 of 10.

I highly doubt you will find a parent who's child goes to this school that is unhappy with the quality of education here. I would like greatschools.net to explain what teacher pay has to do at all with the quality of education? I was amazed at the youth and exuberance of the teaching team here at Sunnyside and I'm even more amazed at the results of the care and love they show my children.

It seems awfully transparent to me that greatschools.net is just a front for the NEA who's only focus is teacher pay and getting God out of our schools.

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Blog_tag

Homesteps - A very interesting time???

12-22-08
Dave Werth
Dave Werth: Real Estate Agent in Fargo, ND
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  • Office: (218) 790-7653
  • Mobile: (218) 790-7653

Having a tough time from the selling agent on getting signatures? Understandably the company is very busy, and a full price offer was submitted 35 days away, as well as a closing date which has passed because of confusion from Homesteps and the delay from there processing end. Anyone else having problems with these guys????

Speed is a must, and I understand the time delays in short sales, HUD, Foreclosures, and banks on the decisions that have to be made, but once we have approval of acceptance, these guys have been the slowest company I have dealt with so far, so pack your bags and take a vacation until you can get some help from there higher ups because they take foreverrr......................

Frustrating and thank god my clients had nothing to sell, otherwise they would of been out on the street waiting for a few more days as we still are waiting on signatures after the agreed upon closing date. Frustrating for everyone and a lesson to learn when working with HOMESTEPS, set up a closing date and don't anticipate to close on time!~

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